Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will host the annual Virginia Queen Piano Competition Friday, May 2, at 3:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall in Mabee Fine Arts Center. The competition performances are free and open to the public.

“The competition was established by Virginia Queen 37 years ago to motivate our piano majors and minors to excel,” said Ouida Keck, coordinator of keyboard studies and Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music. “It gives them the motivation to excel, exposes them to professional standards and gives them a chance to develop self-confidence and stage presence.”

Each student will perform two compositions of contrasting style, with a total performance time of no more than 10 minutes each.

The first-place winner will receive $500 and their name will be engraved on a plaque displayed in the Mabee Fine Arts Center music library. Second place will receive $350, and third place will receive $150.

Students who will participate in the competition include: Rusty Butler, a senior worship arts major from Little Rock, Ark.; TJ Bailey, a senior worship arts major from Fort Smith, Ark.; Katie Butts, a sophomore computer science major from Piqua, Ohio; Jordan Denniston, a senior music major from Plano, Texas; Caroline Dunlap, a freshman piano performance major from Little Rock, Ark.; Joanna Horton, a freshman music major from Arkadelphia, Ark.; Sean Jackson, a junior music composition major from Livingston, La.; Lauren Johnson, a sophomore church music major from Little Rock, Ark.; Courtney Stanage, a junior piano performance major from Hot Springs Village, Ark.; and Emily Tucker, a senior music major from Hot Springs, Ark.

For more information, contact Dr. Ouida Keck at kecko@obu.edu or (870) 245-5352.

Donnie Copeland, chair of the visual arts department, invited McCann to display his exhibit after seeing his work on display around the state.

“Having Jason and his work on campus is a great opportunity for all of us,” Copeland noted. “His works are engaging; they touch on the ins and outs of contemporary life.

“He is someone we should be familiar with as he is an artist whose work you will probably encounter at some point around the state,” Copeland added. “Having him here to speak in the gallery and lead a workshop gives us the chance to gain insight into his work and studio process.”

McCann’s artwork tends to focus on urban architecture as well as figurative subject matter. His pieces exude energy and spontaneity, captured through expressive paint application and color.

“The primary goal I set when I start a new piece is to show not only what the object is, but the energy it possesses,” McCann said. “All artists that work within a representational construct must choose how they will describe or manipulate the reality they want to communicate.”

Since 1995, McCann’s artwork has been displayed in numerous shows and exhibitions across the southeast United States. He currently teaches art at Little Rock Central High School and Arkansas Governor’s School.

McCann will lead a pastel workshop Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. in Moses-Provine 218 on Ouachita’s campus. The workshop is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is recommended due to limited openings.

For more information on the exhibit and to register for the workshop, contact Donnie Copeland at copelandd@obu.edu or (870) 245-5559.